MSP is committed to contributing annually to assist in student scholarships and aid. Scholarship and financial assistance funding is supported by gifts from alumni, family, and friends. Generally, funds are disbursed in the form of tuition credit.
This academic year we are pleased to announce the following recipients. Ray Kaidbay (PsyD 2) was awarded the Aombaye Ramsey Diversity Award. Dennis Brown (PsyD 1) was awarded the Jill Benton Humanistic Psychology Scholarship. Grace Jovanovich (current MA) was awarded the Sidney Berkowitz Scholarship for Clinical Excellence. The honorees have written acceptance statements for their scholarship awards.
The Cereta Perry Scholarship is awarded to an incoming student at the start of the academic year. Click here to learn more about this year’s recipient Jifune Hermiz.
Aombaye Ramsey Diversity Award (ARDA)
The ARDA was created in 2004 to honor former faculty member Dr. Aombaye Ramsey’s lifelong commitment to social justice. This award supports a PsyD student who shares that same commitment to advocate on behalf of diversity issues. Priority will be given to applicants who belong to an ethnic, racial, or cultural group traditionally underrepresented in the field of psychology.
I am deeply honored and grateful to be this year’s recipient of the Aombaye Ramsey Diversity Award. This award, created to honor Dr. Aombaye Ramsey’s lifelong commitment to social justice, holds immense significance for me. It reaffirms the importance of advocating for diversity and social justice, values that are at the core of my journey in the field of psychology.
Receiving this scholarship not only provides crucial financial support but also inspires me to continue my commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within our community and beyond. Being recognized for my dedication to these principles is both humbling and motivating. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the selection committee and to everyone who has supported and believed in me. This award will empower me to further my education and deepen my understanding of how to advocate for and support underrepresented groups in our society. I am excited to carry forward Dr. Ramsey’s legacy and contribute to a more just and equitable world.
Thank you once again for this incredible honor.
Jill Benton Humanistic Psychology Scholarship (JBHPS)
This scholarship honors Jill Benton, former MSP librarian and alum, and her commitment to humanistic psychology. The JBHPS supports a PsyD student who is committed to advancing the science and practice of humanistic psychology as demonstrated by excellence in scholarship.
I am honored and delighted to receive this award. As a representative of my community, I’ve always dedicated my life to helping others and witnessing society’s growth. Growing up, I had first-hand experience with the phrase “an underdog.” I was never the person who landed on the hill but had to walk up that hill graciously. Having this experience made me appreciate my authenticity, vulnerability, and resilience. Resilience is what I look for in society, whether in the form of research or clinical work. In research, I focus on the lived experience because it evokes compassion within me. I emphasize honesty, responsibility, altruism, and authenticity in the clinical setting. As a student of MSP, I do have the power to grow, and I make it a point to remind everyone around me that I see their growth. Whether self-actualized or satisfied with themselves, I still see them and will always be a witness.
This award allows me to continue to spread my work and our name in the field of psychology. Specifically this summer as I get ready for two presentations at the annual APA conference. The MSP community has granted me a solid foundation within the humanistic field of psychology. I am so grateful to be a part of this rich history. As I embark on the next steps, I will keep that humanistic foundation alive through research, practice, and everyday living.
Sidney Berkowitz Scholarship for Clinical Excellence (SBSCE)
The SBSCE was established in Fall 2022 to honor Dr. Sidney Berkowitz, a beloved former faculty member who was an esteemed clinician and long-time supporter of MSP. This award is presented to a student who demonstrate excellence in clinical work and shows a commitment to clinical practice using humanistic value/principles.
I understand that Dr. Sidney Berkowitz was a true embodiment of humanistic psychology and profoundly impacted many lives. It is a great honor to be selected as the Master’s recipient of the Sidney Berkowitz Scholarship for Clinical Excellence. This recognition encourages and affirms my growth as a humanistically oriented psychotherapist.
I owe much of my success to the invaluable guidance I received. I am deeply grateful to the inspiring faculty at the Michigan School of Psychology and my supervisors, who contributed significantly to my understanding and development in the field of psychology. MSP has been my home for the past 11 months, and I take great pride in that. Most importantly, I am grateful for my clients, who have taught me invaluable and transformative lessons that I cherish deeply.
As I continue my journey, I am committed to honoring Dr. Sidney Berkowitz through kindness, humility, and a spirit of curiosity, both in my role as a clinician and simply as a human.
